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170 Years of Pelikan
Introducing the Limited Edition Majesty
To celebrate their 170th anniversary, Pelikan are introducing a special version of the Majesty fountain pen to their already stylish and often exotic collection of limited and special edition writing instruments. This special version of the Majesty is completely gold plated and has the Pelikan logo engraved into the top of the pen cap, including three diamonds in the nest totalling 0,015 carats. The nib is medium width. There are only going to be 170 of these special edition Majesty fountain pens made worldwide. The Majesty range of writing instruments was first introduced in spring 2007 and was made up of a fountain pen, ballpoint pen and a roller ball pen which were sterling silver and platinum plated with gold plated clip and fittings. The fountain pen has a differential piston mechanism with brass components and a nib of 18ct/750 gold with rhodium trim. The differential piston mechanism was introduced by Firmer Gunther Wagner in 1929 and consisted of two threads which had greatly differing pitches ensuring the mechanism’s button could only move slightly backwards in turning whilst the piston rod travelled forward. A cork ring was used to secure the pistons tightness. A number of different seals were experimented with, as the cork ring seal did not guarantee prevention of ink leakage over a period of time. Eventually a black synthetic material replaced the cork and was used to act as a piston head, but unfortunately this synthetic material shrunk over time and was eventually replaced in 1954 by a colourless seal made from a material, which has managed to stay in perfect working order for up to 50 years. The barrel of the Majesty fountain pen is beautifully fluted and is very unique as it has the unusual feature of the user being able to slide off the barrel revealing the ink reservoir beneath.
Celebrating 170 years of Pelikan
Earlier in 2008, Pelikan introduced the Majesty M7005 range, which has a black precious resin cap, which is repeatedly lacquered in deep black and polished to show off the silver elements of the pen. The historic Pelikan frieze can be seen around the circumference of the top of these fountain pen and roller ball caps. This frieze is a reproduction of the stonewall frieze façade which can be found on the former Pelikan factory, which historically was the former headquarters for the company. This frieze has been used in the Majesty range of writing instruments to create and maintain a link between the brand as it s today and the history of the Pelikan Company. The Pelikan logo, which is engraved on the top of the pen cap, came about as Gunther Wagner who had been an employee of Carl Hornemann’s Paint and Ink Factory for eight years, purchased the company when Carl Hornermann retired and gave it the Pelikan name and logo in 1878. The Pelican was Gunther Wagner’s family crest and at that time was the image of a mother pelican looking after her brood of three chicks. Interestingly the original Pelikan logo did in fact feature four chicks and was prepared by Gunther Wagner’s brother who asked the printer to add another “chick”, as at the time Gunther’s wife was expecting their fourth child. Years later the logo was updated and featured only two chicks and today it features only one.
by: Tania Ferreira
